Heroes’ welcome for Coast Guard

ABS-CBN News

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were all smiles after receiving a warm welcome from family members, relatives and friends upon their arrival at the PCG headquarters in Manila on Friday.

The ceremony was for the PCG's Anti-Terrorism Unit and its Special Operations Unit. Commanders awarded them with medals and spot promotions for a job well done for their contributions to fighting terrorists in Marawi, which was finally liberated last month after 5 months of armed conflict.

Here are select images of the emotional gathering at the PCG headquarters on Friday morning.

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard arrive at the Coast Guard headquarters at Pier 13 in Manila on Friday. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

A little girl waves her flag as Coast Guard personnel greet the Coast Guard contingent as they arrive from Marawi for a welcome ceremony in Manila, Friday. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard contingent look out from their boat during their arrival at their headquarters in Manila on Friday. The PCG conducted medical missions in Marawi in August, as fierce fighting with ISIS-inspired terrorists raged in the city. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

A girl carries a poster to welcome her father as a Coast Guard contingent from Marawi arrives for a formal welcome ceremony in Manila on Friday. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Family members patiently wait for members of the Philippines Coast Guard returning from Marawi on Friday. As early as June 2017, the PCG had assumed control and supervision of ports to help prevent the movements of Maute terrorists,especially in Marawi and Lanao Lake. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Coast Guard Lt. Jr. Grade Lalaine Ginete waves a flag as she carries her baby and welcomes her husband arriving from Marawi to attend the welcome ceremony in Manila on Friday. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News